Fluid operated closure system



Oct. 21, 1941. c. w. Rl'rcHlE FLUID OPERATED CLOSURE SYSTEM 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June l IIIIH6` A, 2 O o I1 o l..- D on, #IMFHM muli. e\. U l./9 6\\\ 0 s o@ um il 3 ma 416 C MH a M4 wn ma I. L 0 o una. W 0 .a m Ww e M. 7 n784 .s mlb@ Q INVENTOR:

A TT ORNE Y oct. 21, 1941. c.' w. mmHlE 2,259,105

FLUID OPERATED CLOSURE SYSTEM Filed June 1, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llll INVENToR: 64,4 (//x/rc/z;

BY: y

' ATTORNEY Patented ct. 21, 1941 NTD STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,259,705 FLUID OPERATED cLosURE SYSTEM ClaudezW. Ritchie, Bealeton, Va. Applicationrune 1, 1939, serial No. 276,922 V 8 Claims.

.The invention relates to automatic doors and particularly operating means and door structure peculiarly novel and combined, and has for an object to provide a door which is adapted to ready operation with a minimum of structural' Another important aim o the invention is to construct novel means to minimize air losses and enable the alternate operation of the door from either side. 'A still further object is to present a novel means for exhausting operating fluid from one side of the system when pressure is applied at the other for movement of the door.

It is a prime object of the invention to present a door and operating means which lwill be secured in closed position automatically so as to prevent casual or unauthorized movement of the y door from closed toward open position except on operation of the opening means, and which is constructed in a novel form to operate automatically by manipulation of a simple control.

It is `an advantage of my invention that all of the mechanical and door mounting parts may be encompassed within the building and so protected from the weather. Another attainment is the elimination of any obstructive framing or operating elements adjacent or so near the iioor as to interfere with the common utilization of space within and adjacent door openings or elsewhere within the building.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention reside in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts involved in the embodiment oi the invention as will appear Aor be understood from the following description and accompanying drawings representing the embodiment of the invention in the best form thus far perfected, wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the system with the door in edge elevation.

Figure 2 is a vertical section of a door installation in a plane with the main operating cylinder and central carriage; y

Figure 3 is a detail of the combined hanger and latch operating means and carriage;

Figure 4 is a top view of the central latch operating levers; Y

Figure 5 is an inner elevation of the door and frame showing the latch bolts, cables and counterbalance Figure 6 is a detail section of one operating valve; f

Figure '7 is a cross section thereof. 'Figure 8 is a detail longitudinal section of the lock.

Figure 9 is an inner end view thereof. AFigure 10 is a cross section of the lock; Figure 1l is a detail of an automatic switch valve. l

lfFigure 12 is a similar view of an automatic exhaust valve. A

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevation similar to Figure 2, showing a modification of the door mounting.

There is illustrated a building structure `I 5 such asia garage, although the invention is adapted to use in various other situations and buildings, this illustrated structure having a door opening framed as at I6 in a conventional way. The building includesy a ceiling Il supported by usual jois'ts I8, and a oor l is shown extending to the door opening and formed with an integral Vweather stop 20, the iloor being continued outwardly thereof as an apron portion 2|, corresponding to a sill. The door framing includes a lintelportion 22 and jambs 23, 'all of standard frame construction in the present instance, which may be modified without impairing the utility of my invention and without requiring any changes of `oonstructionin the invention.

Aflixed tothe jamb structure at each side of the door opening there is a vertical rectilinear vchannel track 25 of common form for guiding rollers, while normal to the plane of the closed door and located a distance there'above in a vertical plane midway of the width of the door there'is a horizontal double channel track 26 of familiar construction. At each side of the door `opening `there are respective supplementary curved single channel tracks 21 the lower ends of which are spaced slightly inwardly of the plane of the closed door and begin at a considerable distance above the floor, extending in vertical planes upward and inward, stopping a short distance inwardly of the door frame. The track 26 may be attached to the ceiling in cases where this is low enough, as shown, but conventional methods of support otherwise may be followed. The curved track may be attached to the jambs and ceiling, side walls, or other supports as required. The door may be of a construction conforming to usual mill practice and architectural designs, and includes an upper section 29 which may comprise the upper half or more of the door, supported at its upper edge upon a carriage presently to be described, travelling in the track 26, while hinged to the lower edge of this door section, there is a lower section 3l, adapted to extend to the surface of the apron 2|, or close thereto, and to rest against the stop 20, when the door is closed. While only two sections are shown, it will appear that by proper location of the track 25, a multi-section bending door may be incorporated.

It will be seen that when closed, the entire door is suspended from the carriage 30. n

At each side of the lower section a respective single roller 32 is mounted on a stud shaft or fpintle suitably bushed in the edgevofthedoor. The lower edge face of the door may be relieved suciently to pass closely between the jambs, while the door above is of a width to engage against the jambs and effect a good close joint. Adjacent the hinge joint between the upper and lower sections of the door, attached to either the upper section or the lower section, and illustrated as attached to the lower section in the present instance, there are brackets 33, at respective sides of the door, each'carrying a roller 34, engaged in the curved track 21 thereadjacent.

The carriage 30, consists of a central elongated body 35 having rollers 36 mounted on each side thereof at each end, and travelling in respective adjacent rail elements of the track 26. The bar is centrally recessed and has hung therein pivotally a hanger 31, midway between the two pairs of rollers, so as to swing freelyV in the vertical medial plane of the carriage. 'Ihe hangerV is, of a peculiar form in the present instance, adapting it to clear the cables of a counterbalance to be described. For this reason itis formed with a substantially U-shaped part 38, the upper arm 39 of which is joined to a lateral part, the end of whichv is pivoted on the carriage, the lower arm 39 however is slightly shorter than the other, and when the door isclosed and the carriage is at the forward or outer limit Yof its `movement on the track 26, the long arm 39 extends forwardly a distance over the door, and then upwardly into the recess of the carriage body, where itis secured by a transverse pintle. The remainderjof the hanger extends downwardly from the inner part of this arm 39,.and thence forwardly to its point of attachment to a bracket 4I on the door and projecting slightly from the inner or rear face thereof. However, the weight of the dolor causes the hanger to -swing down and draw the carriage slightly inward from its furtherest possible forward position so that the hanger is suspended substantially as shown in Figure 3 where the axis of the pivot on the door is on a vertical line with the pivot of the hanger on the carriage. The hanger is formed with a strike or bill 42 projected downwardly from the lower side of the armv distant from the pivot and from the door, and a horizontal, transverse latch-operating bar or tube 43, spring loaded, movable horizontally toward and away Ifrom the door and normally at a distant position from Vthe door adjacent or against the bill 42. The bill has a curved face at Vthe side next the bar 43 so that it may wipe Aagainst the tube and press it forwardly toward the door when the hanger is swung inwardly at the upper part (this causing the bill to move outwardly against the bar 43).V The bar being tubular is supported onV twoV inserted arms 'of horizontally movable bell crank levers 44 pivoted on suitable brackets on the inner 'side of th'edoor. 'These arms are inserted in the ends of the tube, having partly circular or spherical base parts 45 within the ends of the tube, and shoulders 46 adapted to abut the ends of the tube when the arms are on a common line between their pivots. The outer ends of the arms are conical from the partly circular or spherical parts, so that by striking the inner side of the tube, they limit swinging movement of the bar and bell cranks. Pivoted bolts 41 are ,provided at respective sides of the door, these being elongated triangular plates pivoted at one end on the door and each having a long arm projected laterally beyond the adjacent vertical edge of the door, as at 48, and engaged in a keeper 49 fixed on the door jamb, this keeper having a sloped upper side on which the arm 48 may ride as the door moves to closed position, and being the upper side of an upwardly projected bill portion 50 to receive and hold the arm 49 forwardly thereof when the door is closed. The plate 41 is extended upwardly at the upper side near the base and has connected thereto a cable or wire 5I, which is extended inwardy before the door and attached to inwardly projected arms 52 of the bell cranks, so that when the parts Y,45 of the levers are pressed forwardly by the bill 42, the arms 48 are lifted from the keepers and the door freed for inward rmovement at its upper part. Springs 53 Amay be coengaged between anchorages on the door and the bolts, to hold the latter yieldingly engaged inthe keepers, and guide andstop straps 54 are engaged over the long arms of the bolts to retain them in their plane of movement and stop them at proper limits of their Swinging movements.

It may be understood from the foregoing that `when the Icarriage is drawn inwardly it will cause the hanger 31 to swing in such manner as to release the bolts, unlatching the door, and that continued movement of the carriagev will then draw the upper end of the door inwardly, and rearwardly. The lower part of the track 21 will oppose inward movement of the middle part of the door, and the rearward travel of the upper part will cause the lower portions of the door to rise upwardly in the tracks 21 'and 25, and the middle portion will then move rearward on track 21 until thetrack 21 and the counterbalance lift th'edoor to horizontal overhead position.

vThe 'cunterbalance consists of cables 55 and 56, attached to the door, one at each side, at or adjacent the mountings of the rollers 32. From this connection the cables are both extended verticallyvupward 'and then 4one 56 carried laterally overone `side of a double pulley 51 on the lintel 'and downwardly beside the door jamb, while the cable 55, is `extended transversely over a pulley 58 and across the full width of the door to the pulley 51, around which it is passed downward in close relation to the cable 56. Both may be joined in one immediately beyond the pulley 51 while the door is in closed position. Just beyond the pulley 51 the cables are attached to a suitable weight 59 adapted -to nearly counterbalance the door. Other locations of the weight and cable arrangements may be chosen in accordance with prior practices in such doors, as found desirable.

For` operating the door, a main cylinder 60 is mounted horizontally just labove the level of the track, and located just* rearwardly of the innermost position of the carriage 30 whenthedoor is raised. In this cylinderthere is reciprocabl'e a piston 6j from theforward end of which along piston rod 62 is extended through the forward end of the cylinder with any usual, packing and connectedsuitably to the rear end ofthe carriage body. The rod and cylinder are slightly longer than the requiredhorizontal movement of the upper part of the door inward from the closed `position toA full open position. This permits the 2 carriage to move sufficiently forward of the plane of the closed door to insure its certain closing.

The piston 6| may be operated either hydraulically or pneumatically -by suitable pressure liq- Means is provided for transmitting air pressure .n

to either end ofthe cylinder alternatively and manually or otherwise controlled at either of two or more points, one o f which may be located ex- Yteriorly, of the building and the other at a distance from the iirsteither inside the ybuilding or elsewhere.V These` controls may be variously operated, Lbut for simplicity are herershown as manually operated,` and but two are illustrated.

' The controls are dual valves 64-64, each consi'sting ofV a casting in which a pair of parallel cylinders 65 are formed and smoothly finished, opening in a common direction on the outer side of the unit. Aroun-d theinner ends vof the cylinders a reservoir chamber 66 is formed, com municating with which there is a pipe E1 leading from the supply 63. -The cylinders are ported concentrically at their inner ends in communication with the chamber 65, formed with seats 68 next the chamber and closed by poppet valves 69 seated over the ports within the chamber. These valves eachconsist of a metal disc 10 centrally apertured and receiving a threaded tenen of an operating stem 1| projected from the valve through the port, the ydisc having a seat facing 12 of rubber or other material adapted to assure a sealing fit against the seat. Screwed on the tenon at the inner side of the valve there is a tubular stem 13, receiving slidably a stud pin 14 xed on a plug 15 screwed into an opening in the wall of the chamber in registry with the respec- ,K

tive cylinder, the stud pin serving as a guide for the valve, and so being short enough to permit required opening movement of the valve. A helical spring 16 is confined between the valve and the plug 15, to normally seat the valve.

The two cylinders are spaced comparatively close together, and mounted pivotally on the casting 64 between the cylinders, there is a rocking lever 11, its ends adapted to move longitudinally of the axis of respective cy1inders,rthe-\ lever having a handle 18 projected outwardly therefrom at right angles so as to depress the stems of the valves alternately. For the purpose of sealing the outer ends of the cylinders, each one has mounted therein a piston or dasher 19, connected to a respective arm of the lever 11 by a link 80 pivotally connected to the lever and dasher. A lateral port 8| is formed in each cylinder intermediately of its length. If desired, a seat .82 may be formed within the cylinder outwardly of the pipe connection 8| on which the inner end of the` dasher 19 may engage, the latter faced suitably to eiect a good seal when the dasher is pressed against the seat. The stems 1| are of a length to lie close to the respectiveV ends of the lever 11 when the valves are closed, and to be engagedby a respective dasher when the handle 18 is rocked in that direction, so Vthat the valveis thereby pressed from its seat, admitting compressed air from the reservoir 66 to the cylinder 65, from lwhich it; may pass to one end of the main cylinder 60.

' The valves 64 and 64 are customarily mounted ywith one of the cylinders above the other on horizontal axes, and to `make the effect of their operation readily understood and remembered, the upper cylinder of each, valve is utilized to eiect opening of the door, by raising of the handle 18. Correspondingly, downward pressure of the handley causes closing of the door. For communicating the pressures properly to the main cylinder, pipes 82 are led respectively from the ports 8| of the upper cylindersof the two valves to opposite ends of a junction valve device 84, from Vthe middle of which a pipe 85 is led into the front end of the cylinder 60. Also, pipes 86 and 81 are respectively led from the lower cylinderof each valve to a junction valve 88, from the middle of which a pipe 89 is led vinto Athe rear end of the main cylinder; as in Figure l. An automatic exhaust valve device 90 hereinafter described may `be connected between the pipes85 and 89, and consequently between the opposite ends nof the cylinder 60, by pipes 9|, leading intorespective ends ofthe valve 90. However, the valves 64-54' are adapted to function as exhaust valves by the formation of a longitudinal groove 65 in each cylinder opening on theputer end of the cylinder and stopping .just short of the plane of the seat 82.

u,The valves 8 4 and 88 are identical and each consists of a cylinder 92 having inlet ports 93 at eaeh end to whichuthe pipes from the valves 64 and 64are connected, and a central lateral port S4l opening through the lwall of the cylinder, with which port the pipe 85 or 89 is connected, as the case may be, Freely slidable in the cylinder there is a dasher 95, having an annular seat rib 96 onv each end, while fitted in each end 0f the cylinder there is a seat washer 91 against which the respective end vof the dasher may seat to close communication between the adjacent port 93 and the port 94. In consequence, when air enters one end of the cylinder 92 from one of the valves 64 or 64', the dasher is forced to the opposite end of the cylinder, closing communica- Vtion between the open hand valve and the one not operated, avoiding leakage and waste of air in filling unused passages. j

The exhaust valve 90 consists of a cylinder 98 in two parts joined by being threaded into a central sleeve coupling 99. Held between the ends of the cylinder parts there is a spring seat washer |00 apertured` to form free communication between the opposite ends of the cylinder 98, and aiording seats for respective helical springs |0I, vwhich are conned against the seatwasher by respectivedasher pistons |02 slidable in the cylinder. These are intended to hold between them a loading of oil |03, the pistons being shown as double cup-washer elements of conventional construction. While it may not be essential, they are shown as having set between them a tube |04 by which they are spaced apart, and they are held pressed against the ends of the tube by means of nuts |05 screwed on respective ends of a dasher or plunger rod |06 engaged through both pistons and projecting beyond each one toward the adjacent end of the cylinder. Each end of the cylinder is exteriorly threaded and has engaged thereon a valve case |01 corresponding to a pipe L'. Theouter end is bushed as at |08 air lines toy and from the main cylinder represented by thepipe 9|,- which areengaged therein.

Opposite the bushing a ported seat |09 is formed, this being the lower Ysideofthe device asinstalled. On this seat there is 'shown a valve |10, pivoted on a transverse pin engaged through the'wall of the tting in a familiar way. VThe valve is formed with an upwardly extending operating arm ||2 which projects across the' axis of the rod |06, with a clearance behind the arm next the wall of the case to permit it to swing and open the valve. The rod |06 .is of a length to stop short of., but close to, the arms I2 of the valves, so that a little movement of th'e rod in either direction will open one valve. The springs are so adjusted as to tend to hold the plunger rod in a central position clear of both valves.

It will be appreciated that upon admissionk of air pressure to either end of the main cylinder 60, the dasher unit and plunger of the valve '90 will be moved from that end of the cylinder 98 which communicates with such end of the main cylinder, so as to open the valve I0 at the opposite end, and that opens communication between the end of the main cylinder from which air must be vented to avoid back pressure opposing operation of the door as required. The oil |03 may be replenished through an opening in the coupling 99, this opening being closed by a plug ||3.

In the case of a valve 64 located exterior-ly of a building or room., the door of which is Controlled thereby, I have provided a lock device ||5, as shown in Figures 'I to 10 inclusive. This is incorporated as a part of the valve, and is constructed and adapted to lock communication through the pipe 82 by which pressure for opening the door is communicated from this valve. In the present instance, the lock consists of a lock case similar to those used in Yale locks but slightly elongated at the inner end. The forward part may conform to standard 'Yale lock construction, and includes the case portion H6, with the usual conformation, ange and threads for mounting, the coaxialrotating barrel ||1 with the key slot 8, plunger-and-tumbler yset ||9 of ordinary form andfunction. I n addition, however, the case is formed with a complementary set of plungers located on a radiusat an angle of ninety degrees to the radius ofthe normal set, the latter being shown at the top of the case. n

The rearwardly extended portion of the `Vcase is tubular, forming a chamber |2|, of larger diameter than the barrel ||1 and having opposite ports I 22 adapted to receive respective sections o f the pipe 82. The inner end of the case and chamber is closed by a simple socket plug |23. On the inner end of the barrel |1 which is projected slightly within the chamber, there is secured a spring plate |24, the base end of which is at and secured against the end of the barrel by screws, the other end constituting a spring arm extended at right angles to the base lend and tending to lie against or close to the annular wall of the chamber. This arm has on its outer face a button valve |25, which maybe faced with a compression washer |26, if desired. For sealling the joint around the barrel, I have set in the outer end of the chamber against the body vof the case and around the barrel a washer |21 of rubber or other suitable ,materiaL and secured against the end of the barrel, held under the plate |24 there isa spring cup washer'l28,l the edges of which press against the washer |21, forming a seal throughout movement' ofl Athe barrel. With the lock Velement in vlocked position same path as the roller 32 and track 26.

as shown, with the tumblers locked in a vertical plane, the 'valve |25 will vclose the lower port of 'the chamber l2 and by leading the pipe 82 from this lower port to the main cylinder 60, passage of uid to the cylinder is readily prevented with a minimum of strain of, or leakage at, the valve.

If it is desired to withdraw the key (not shown) ofthe device, while the valve is in open position, the key is turned to register the tumblers in the barrel with the extra set of plungers |20, whereby the key may be withdrawn, the valve being thereby locked in open position. y

While I have shown the invention embodied in a particular specific form, I do not regard it as limited thereto, and various modifications of structure and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Thus, in Figure 13 I have indicated an alternative to the use of the curved track 26, which consistsl of mounting a suitable pivot block |30 at each side of the doorway and spaced inwardly thereof a distance, and upon this pivoting a bar |3|, attached to the door adjacent to the hinge connectionr between the upper and lower sections, or otherwise. This bar will causethe lower part of the door to move approximately in the The block may be mounted on a wall, or pier, or any other building element either specially provided, or involved the plan for structural elements of the building.

A vertical secondary cylinder |32 is mounted at the upper end of the vertical track 25 at each side of the door, and in this there is reciprocable a piston |33 having a rod 31| projected downwardly from the cylinder and longitudinally within the track 25, and, in the path of the roller 32. A strike |35 is secured on the edge of the door, having an outturned ange |36 over the roller 32rto engage the lower end of the piston rod. The latter is fitted with a cushion bumper head 31 having the cushion material at both upper and lower sides for reasons to be explained. The material at the lower side will quiet the engagement of the piston with the strike when the piston rod is projected downwardly with the piston, and the cushion material at the upper side of the bumper head will cushion the stoppage of the upward movement of the piston rod by the door when the bottom of the latter arrives at the upper limit of its movement. This last movement is stopped by a stop plate |38 mounted in the track and being projected on each side of the rod |34 so as to receive the bumper thereagainst as the latter moves upward.

A pressure supply and vent pipe |39 is in permanent open communication with the upper end of the cylinder |32, and the rear end of the main cylinder, so that whenever pressure is admitted to the rear part of the main cylinder tending to move the door forwardly, such pressure is also communicated to the secondary cylinder, causing the piston |33 to move downwardly, the bumper head |31 pressing the striker |35 downward and'moving the outer part of the door downwardly. The cylinder |32 is only of such length as to movethe bottom edge of the door downward a short distance, after which the action of the main piston 6| will by forward Ypressure on the upper part of the door cause the the'connectio'n with the arm |3| will Icause proper A helical spring |40 is located in the lower end of the cylinder |32, to cushion stoppage of the piston when it reaches the lower limit of its movement in the cylinder.

In the use of the apparatus, to open the door, one of the handles of the valves 64 and 64 is raised manually. This movement is atrst opposed by the pressure against the valve in theV upper cylinder, but as soon as the valve has been opened, this resistance quickly diminishes, so that the pressure exerted by the person operating the handle causes it to be moved abruptlyl to its full stroke, bring the respective piston 19 againstthe seat 82, and so closing off the groove 65 and preventing waste of air. The air displaced from the main cylinder as the piston 6| moves rearwardly is vented through the groove k65' of the lower cylinder of the control valve whichfhas been operated, and also this is, ventedrthrough the grooves B of the other control, the pistons therein beinlg held at their normal positions spaced from the seats 82, and uncovering the ends of the grooves 65'. In closing of the door the air from the front end of the main cylinder is correspondingly vented. Y

It should be appreciated that an important advantage of my invention lies in the fact that iiuid pressure is not depended `on to support or retain the door in either open or closed position, and when it is in either of these positions normally the uid supply is entirely cut 01T, and not subject to leakage or waste past pistons. Also,

the uid pressure is utilized only to move the door' from either limit oi its movement, and the door may be partly opened and Vwill remain at any intermediate position until it is desired to move it further or to return it to its initial position, without utilizing the fluid pressure device.

I+ is apparent that the track 2B, carriage 30 and cylinder 60 connected with the door may be duplicated where the width of the doorrequires it. This is a further important advantage of the invention, as it enables its use` to support and operate doors of any width. In such duplication mounting, it is not necessary to multiply the secondary cylinders |32, two being adequate for a very wide door, and conventional stays maybe incorporated on the door to stiien and holdit in planiform shape. The connections between the counter weight and door may also be multiplied as found desirable, and the weight may be in two or more parts, if desired in accordance with conventional counter-balancing practices. `This is of great value in hangers, Where doors of 100` feet width are common. y

It should be appreciated that my lock` device :is so coordinated with the system that when the lock is locked with the door in open position, it will not prevent closing ofthe door by use of either of the hand valves. In such case, the air returning from the main cylinder and requiring to be exhausted through the port groove 65 of the cylinder the outlet from which is closed by the lock will lift the valve |25, the spring arm |24 permitting this, -so that the lock valve Will function as a check valve, permitting return ow but positively closed against out-flow that might open the door. Also, by the arrangement shown,

the lock being located in the exterior valve 64,

10 that in case of failure of the compressed fluid orr liduid'supply, the door may be operated by hand from within the building by the use of any familiar hand cable connection I3| to the upper part of the hanger 31'or latch bolts 4l, and with the construction otherwise as the same as illus-` trated, butthe door cannot be operated from without.- y

The groove 65.r Vin one cylinder is Vuncovered by the piston 19 therein when the piston 19 at the opposite side of the particular control valve is engaged against the seat 82, and this provides for exhaust of air freely from before the advanc-y ing piston in the main cylinder 60. The grooves 65' are uncovered at normal released position of the handle in each of the valves 64 and 64',

Y so that exhaust may occur through either of the valves B4 and 64', according to the position of the Vjunction'valve through which the exhaust passes.

With the'use of this construction, the automatic exhaust valve is not absolutely essential and may be omitted, but may be provided as a safety feature if desired, or to shorten the path of air to the point of exhaust. For emergency closing of the door, as in case of re in a garage equipped with my door system, a supplementary pipe line |52 may be connected between the pressure supply 63 and the proper operating end of the cylinder 60, normally closed by a fuse plug |53 which vwill melt at a predetermined high temperature, admitting fluid under pressure to the cylinder from the supply 53. TheV connection of the pipe |52 is made to the pipe 89, and a junction valve |54 similar to that of Figure 11 may be included there to direct the pressure fluid only to the cylinder 6l).

It should be appreciated also that while I have illustrated a sectional door because of the greater clearance thereadjacent in its opening movement, my invention may also be applied to a one-piece door, eliminating the curved track 21 and midway rollers 34 and the side track and side roller connections may be connected with such a door in accordance with prior practice in the pivoting of overhead one-piece doors at the sides, which is to say, the side rollers may be higher on the door than illustrated. My overhead track and carriage and latch constructions may be the same as already described for such a door, whether a single set or a multiplicity are used.

My invention is adaptable to use with doors of metal or of wood, or both, as well as doors of other materials, and where transverse reinforcement is required, it is an advantage of my invention that on ordinary private garage doors this may take the form of angle ironA secured with one flange over the top edge of the door and one ange against the inner side of the door, and

It will be appreciated also, that the valve 64 located anywhere that is convenient is readily adapted to be operated electrically by any conventional construction suitable for such use, so

that automatic distant control action may be attained in response to various requirements, such as automobile wheel movement, car movement, light interception, etc., various apparatus for which are known, adaptable to the uses indicated.

An important advantage of the invention presented lies in the ease with which the manual controls may be operated, yet avoiding risk of accidental operating of the Valve, because of the initially higher pressure required to be overcome before the valve opens.

It is another important advantage of my invention that by reason of the dash-pot function of the secondary cylinder or cylinders, need for large compensating springs to prevent slamming of the door on either opening or closing movement is obviated. These springs are required on most of the overhead door mountings now used.

I claim:

l. A closure of the character described consisting of a closure body having a normal vertical closed position and movable at one part in a substantially horizontal direction to an open position, means to support and guide the opposite portions of the body for movement thereof toward the initial position and path of the first named part, means to move the said one part comprising a draft and including a carriage member movable generally in the direction of movement of said one part of the closure, and located initially a distance laterally from the body, a lever pivoted thereon projected before the body and pivoted on an axis xed with and spaced from the body, said lever having an operating bill projected beyond the last named pivot, spring loaded bolt means to secure the door in closed position, means to draw the bolts including a member movable in line with said bill and normally positioned near the bill and movable in a direction for operation by said bill to draw the bolts.

2. The structure of claim l in which said means to move one part comprises a main operating cylinder, a piston therein connected to the carriage, means to supply pressure fluid alternately to the opposite ends of the cylinder, a secondary operating cylinder mounted parallel to the closed position of the closure body and near the initial position of the rst named part thereof, a piston in the secondary cylinder and projected from the cylinder in the direction of closing movement of the closure body, said body having a strike projection on its distant part positioned to engage the piston in the terminal portion of opening movement of the strike, and to sustain pressure of the piston thereagainst a distance in initial closing movement, and an open duct connected between one end of the main cylinder and the secondary cylinder for projection of the last named piston simultaneously with initial closing movement of the piston of the main cylinder.

3. A door and the like and opening system of the character described consisting of a door frame, a vertical guide device at each side thereof, a horizontal guide track thereabove and extending generally inward from adjacent the frame, a support member on the track engaged with the upper edge of the door, a third guide device constructed to guide an intermediate portion of the door in a curved path from closed position to full open position, means connecting the last named guide means and intermediate portion ofthe door, a main operating cylinder,

a piston therein, operative connections between the piston and the upper part of the door for movement of the door upon said horizontal track, iiuid pressure means to operate the piston, a vertical cylinder adjacent the upper part of said vertical guide, an open duct between the upper end of the last named cylinder and. one end of the main cylinder, a piston in the vertical cylinder having a rod projected downwardly from the cylinder, and a strike member on the portion of the door guided by said vertical guide arranged to engage the rod.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which a cushion stop is interposed in the path of movement of the piston.

5. The structure of claim 3 in which a stop is positioned in the path of movement of said strike to limit opening movement of the door.

6. A closure of the character described consisting of abody having a normal closed position and having an edge portion movably mounted for movement with a major horizontal component of direction, and an opposite portion mounted for movement with a major component of direction at right angles to the first named component, to a predetermined open position substantially at right angles to said closed position, a main operating cylinder substantially coincident with the rst named direction, a piston therein, operative connections between the piston and said iirst named edge portion of the closure, a secondary cylinder substantially coincident with the second named component of direction, a piston therein, an open duct connection between one end of the last named cylinder and one end of the first named cylinder, and means to supply pressure fluid to each end of the rst named cylinder alternatively.

7. The structure of claim 6, in which said open duct connection is constructed to restrict ow from the second named cylinder suiiciently to retard opening movement of the second named edge portion of the door as a dash pot.

8. A closure of the character described consisting of a closure body having a normal closed position plane and movable at one part from said plane in a direction having a substantial component vertical to said plane, means to support and guide the said one part in said movement, a main operating cylinder substantially coincident axially with said direction and having a piston therein connected to said one part, means to supply pressure fluid alternately to opposite ends of the cylinder, means to support and guide a distant portion of the body for movement toward the initial position and path of said one part, a secondary operating cylinder mounted parallel to said plane near the terminal open position of said distant portion of said body, a piston in the secondary cylinder having a part projected from the cylinder in the direction of initial closing movement of said distant portion, a strike element on said distant portion positioned to engage the last named piston in the terminal opening movement of said distant portion and to sustain pressure of the piston thereagainst a distance in initial closing movement thereof, and a duct connection between at least one end of the mian cylinder and the secondary cylinder for projection of the last named piston simultaneously with initial closing movement of the piston in the main cylinder.

CLAUDE W. RITCHIE. 

